Issue: May, 2009

When It Comes to Good Health, Vitamin D Delivers

Ignored for years, today vitamin D is a superstar. Here’s what you need to know about this vitally important nutrient, including how to make certain you’re getting enough vitamin D to protect your health.

According to conventional wisdom, we should be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true. But vitamin D is shaping up as an exception to that rule. Although it was discovered nearly 100 years ago, vitamin D was long believed to have only one important role – maintaining healthy bones. As a result, it was added to milk in the 1930s, as a way to combat the high incidence of rickets in children – and then pretty much forgotten.

How things change! During the past decade, a steady stream of news from researchers all over the world is proving that vitamin D helps protect us against such serious health concerns as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, several types of cancer (including breast, colon and prostate), diabetes, emotional difficulties, such as depression and bipolar disorder, muscle function and gum health.

And there’s more! Just consider this small sampling of good news from the vitamin D front:

Vitamin D supports better brain function in older individuals, according to the findings of a recent clinical trial. Researchers at Tufts University found the best cognitive test scores among subjects with high blood levels of the nutrient. Those with high levels of vitamin D were better at “executive functions,” such as organizing, planning and thinking in the abstract.
Vitamin D’s role in how well our muscles operate was underscored by a new study showing that low levels of the nutrient during pregnancy makes a woman four times more likely to have a cesarean section. The same researchers were also struck by separate findings showing that fully three-fourths of the women in the study and their babies had low vitamin D levels, even though they had been taking prenatal vitamins and drinking vitamin D-fortified milk while pregnant. Coincidentally, a new study from Turkey found that infants with low vitamin D levels are more vulnerable to developing respiratory infections.
Add prostate cancer to the list of cancers vitamin D may help protect against. Findings reported in the British Journal of Cancer show that the disease resulted in six times fewer fatalities for men with the most vitamin D in their bodies when compared to men with lower levels.
There’s more news on the cancer front, too. A recent review of research involving vitamin D, cancer and sunlight (ultraviolet B or UVB) concluded that sun-associated vitamin D was linked to lower levels of colon and breast cancers, as well as kidney and ovarian cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

What’s the sunlight connection? Our bodies can produce vitamin D on their own when exposed to sunlight. Sounds simple, right? Even though making that happen only takes about 20 minutes of daily sun exposure (and please work up to that amount gradually, to avoid burning), there are actually a few factors that may interfere. First, the skin must be free of sunscreen, sun blocks and clothing, which all interfere with the process.

Second, the sunlight-vitamin D conversion process is not nearly as effective for people of color. Third, age plays a role; individuals over age 50 are not efficient converters, so even with proper sun exposure, they’re likely to be deficient in the nutrient. Finally, there’s geography. Sunlight during winter months is not intense enough in areas north of Los Angeles, so no amount of sun exposure will help.

As a doctor, I happen to know just how prevalent vitamin D deficiency is – fully 90 percent of my patients are getting too little of this important nutrient! Similar figures were found in a new analysis of federal government health data; researchers reported too little vitamin D in three-fourths of American surveyed. Just twenty years ago, that figure was strikingly lower -- only one half of the population was deficient in vitamin D.

A simple blood test is all that’s required to determine your levels, and I encourage everyone to do this annually. Your physician can recommend appropriate supplements of vitamin D3, the preferred form.

Supplements are necessary, because only a few foods are helpful with it comes to increasing vitamin D intake, including salmon, sardines and mackerel. But even if you eat those foods, it’s difficult to obtain the daily dose of 1,000 to 2,000 IU – and in many cases, 5,000 IU -- recommended by many health authorities from diet alone. Even the conservative federal government guidelines -- 200 IU for adults up to age 50, 400 IU between 51 and 70 and 800 IU for those 71 and up -- are unlikely to be achieved just through diet. And be aware that the adult doses are currently under review, since so many authorities believe they are inadequate. Meanwhile; the American Academy of Pediatrics recently upped its recommendation for children from 200 IU to 400 IU daily.

One caution: As with most things in life, moderation is a worthy goal. Baking in the sun without sunscreen for hours or taking mega-doses of supplements are not good ways to fortify your body with vitamin D. Follow the experts’ guidelines, enjoy some time in the sun, ideally 30 minutes daily in the peak of the day, without sunscreen, eat well and provide your body with reasonable amounts of the supplements it needs to work best – and you will notice a difference in your health!

What You Need to Know About Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease symptoms mimic other disorders, making the “Great Pretender” difficult to diagnose. That’s why knowledge is the best way to deal with this condition.

There’s nothing like the great outdoors! And now that spring is finally here, more of us are spending time outside, hiking, camping, entertaining and simply enjoying Mother Nature’s glorious bounty. But before heading out, take a few minutes to protect yourself and your family from Lyme disease, an increasingly common – and difficult to deal with -- ailment that can have serious consequences.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness (meaning it is transmitted to humans or animals by an insect) in the United States, with roughly 20,000 new cases identified annually. Children are especially vulnerable to Lyme disease, as are older individuals.

Deer (or black-legged) ticks are the primary culprit behind the spread of Lyme disease bacteria. Deer ticks are very tiny, only a fraction the size of the common – and far less worrisome -- dog tick and nearly invisible to the naked eye. While these ticks are more common in the Eastern U.S., they have been found all over the world. And some experts believe that insects other than ticks carry the bacteria that cause the disease. In addition, Lyme disease can also be transmitted through any bodily fluid.

Diagnosing a Lyme disease infection can be tricky, if not impossible, since there is no blood test that can identify it with absolute certainty. Many sufferers are not aware of having been bitten by a tick. A number of others never develop one of the key symptoms – a bull’s eye-shaped rash at the site of the tick bite. In addition, as the disease develops, symptoms can change or appear in various parts of the body. To make matters even more challenging, the painful headaches, fatigue, aching joints, heart palpitations and fever commonly associated with Lyme disease are similar to a number of other conditions, leading health experts to dub Lyme “the Great Pretender.” Meanwhile, these indicators may disappear, only to be replaced by even worse difficulties, including arthritic joints, heart problems, neurological complications, emotional changes, including depression or anxiety, as well as mental fogginess and memory issues.

The best way to identify Lyme disease is to look at an individual’s symptoms. When diagnosed in the early stages, the condition is normally treated with antibiotics. There is no guarantee that this method will be successful, however. As a result, the Center for New Medicine offers a comprehensive, multi-step treatment plan created to address the elusive nature of this condition. If you believe that you or someone you know may have Lyme disease, please contact CFNM as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, don’t let the threat of Lyme disease keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. Follow these few simple precautions to prevent an infection:

Dress in long pants that can be tucked into boots, as well as a long- sleeved shirt, to minimize skin exposure;
Use an insect repellant on any skin that isn’t covered;
After being outdoors, thoroughly check your and your companions’ skin, hair and clothing for ticks. Remember that these are very tiny insects that can be extremely difficult to see. You can get further protection by showering or bathing after being outside.
To protect pets (primarily dogs, since cats rarely develop Lyme disease), brush or comb their coats frequently. If your dog suddenly develops a limp, particularly on a front leg, have your veterinarian check for Lyme disease. Quick treatment can spare your dog from needless suffering. And don’t worry about catching Lyme disease from an infected pet; it is not transmitted from animal to human or vice versa.

A Few Flu Facts

With a possible flu pandemic looming on the horizon, now is a good time to review some basic health guidelines concerning infectious diseases. There are three simple steps that can help protect against this type of virus.

Wash your hands – often! Use plain old soap and water and actively rub your hands together for about 20 seconds before rinsing. If soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizers containing 60 percent alcohol are good substitutes.
Avoid crowds as much as possible. The more people you’re exposed to the greater the likelihood that one of them will be infected. While we can’t stay away from necessities like work, minimizing social interactions during outbreaks has been shown to be one of the most effective means of staying healthy.
Take symptoms seriously. Fever, chills, fatigue, sore throat and gastrointestinal problems are all signs of flu in general, and this current strain of flu is no exception. Seek treatment from a health-care professional if you or a loved one develops symptoms. There are anti-virals and supplements that can help. And other than visiting a doctor or health-care facility, keep infected individuals at home. Going out in public only spreads the disease to others.

Also, check out the GUNA line of natural cold and flu products. Designed with homeopathic ingredients, the GUNA supplements stimulate the immune system and help minimize a full range of flu and cold symptoms without harsh side effects. For more details or to order products, visit our website at: http://www.cfnmedicine.com/POMFlyer.aspx.

RECOMMENDED VITAMIN D AND IMMUNE SUPPORT PRODUCTS

Vitamin D3 by Ortho Molecular Products 5000IU 60 capsules - $22.00 A highly absorbable form of vitamin D3 in a vegetable capsule.	Vitamin D3 by Longevity Plus 5000IU 100 tablets - $13.95 Another potent, bio-active vitamin D supplement in a vegetable capsule.
D-1000 by Thorne Research 1000IU 90 capsules - $9.00 Pure, preservative-free vitamin D in a lower dose.	Parsley Detox by Nutramedix 1 fluid ounce - $24.95 Help purify your body with this herb-based formula.
Burbur Detox by Nutramedix 1 fluid ounce - $24.95 Long a favorite herb for cleansing the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system	Bio Vegetarian™ by Priority One® 60 tablets - $19.95 Combination of vitamins, minerals, and botanicals designed to nutritionally aid those suffering from chronic bacterial, viral or microbial infections. Warning: This product contains barberry, which may cause miscarriage. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, consult your physician before using.
GUNA Line of Natural Cold and Flu Products Designed with homeopathic ingredients, the GUNA supplements stimulate the immune system and help minimize a full range of flu and cold symptoms without harsh side effects. For more details or to order products, visit our website at: http://www.cfnmedicine.com/POMFlyer.aspx

For more information about these products, or to place an order, please contact our Healthy Product Advisers at (949) 680-1913 or send an email to orders@cfnmedicine.com.

*Please see below for full disclaimer

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature."
-- Helen Keller

Calendar of Events

April Weight Loss Class #3 - 5/12/2009 - 6:00 PM
The medical staff of the Center For New Medicine and our renowned fitness expert and certified nutritionist, Liliana, have created this science-based, multi-faceted program to give you the tools you need to transform resistance into understanding.

Master's Class-5/13/2009
Support class for anyone who has previously attended any of Liliana’s nutrition classes. This class meets twice to support continued success in establishing a healthy lifestyle; one meeting on this date and the second at your choice of any regular nutrition class meeting. Please call (949) 680-1880 for more details and pricing information.

Prevent Diabetes Class #2 - 5/13/2009 - 3:30 PM
Did you know that 500,000 people die each year from diabetes complications, but half of the people who have diabetes are unaware that they have it??? Take steps now to avoid this serious medical condition by attending our 2-part Diabetes Prevention Class, given by our certified staff nutritionist, Liliana Partida

Everything You Wanted to Know about Digestion - 5/14/2009 - 6:30 PM
Topics include:

The mechanics of digestion
The importance of stomach acid
The problems with antacids and acid suppressors
Heartburn, GERD, H. pylori and other stomach conditions
Treating digestive disorders

April Weight Loss Class #4 - 5/19/2009 6:00 PM
The medical staff of the Center For New Medicine and our renowned fitness expert and certified nutritionist, Liliana, have created this science-based, multi-faceted program to give you the tools you need to transform resistance into understanding.

Stop The Inner Critic© - Solutions for Self-Criticism - 5/21/2009 - 6:00 PM
Written and Presented by Dr. Robert Dee McDonald

Do you criticize yourself? Do you have memories of other people criticizing you? What you say to yourself, or hear in your mind, can damage your self-esteem and self-confidence. You will learn to easily stop your negative self-judgment. Come prepared to be amazed.

Topics Include:

How to Turn Self-Criticism into Self-Esteem
How to Quiet Your Mind
Tools You Can Apply Immediately

Click here to view our entire calendar of events

*The above information and product descriptions are for information purposes only, and are not intended to provide medical advice to individuals. Consult with your physician if you have any health concerns, and before initiating any new diet, exercise, supplement, or other lifestyle changes.

Prices on products and/or services are subject to change at any time and without notice. Please contact our Product Desk to verify product pricing.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.